Heart Eyes Review
Heart Eyes offers a fresh take on slasher romcoms, blending gory thrills with wry humour, my full review.
In the realm of horror-comedy hybrids, Heart Eyes emerges as an entertaining standout. It oscillates between horror and romance in odd and interesting ways. It offers a fresh take on the Valentine's Day slasher genre but ultimately tries to move in too many directions with its plot. Directed by Josh Ruben, known for "Scare Me" and "Werewolves Within," Heart Eyes intertwines romance and terror with a satirical edge that pokes fun at both genres.
"Heart Eyes intertwines romance and terror with a satirical edge that pokes fun at both genres."
It often breaks the third wall, offering unexpected turns on the story, characters and their motivations. While it doesn't entirely escape the clichés of movies before it, Heart Eyes delivers thrills, dark humour and a fun time with some head-scratching plot holes. Let’s get to the heart of things in my full review.
Heart Eyes Movie Details
Release Date: February 7, 2025 Director: Josh Ruben Cast: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Jordana Brewster, Devon Sawa as Collin Run Time: 97 minutes Genre: Horror, Comedy, Romance Content Rating: R
Heart Eyes (Spoiler Free) Synopsis
The story picks up on the Heart Eyes Killer (or HEK for short), a masked serial killer who has been targeting couples on Valentine’s Day. The plot follows Ally (Olivia Holt), a marketing executive reeling from a recent breakup. On Valentine's Day, she meets Jay (Mason Gooding), a charming advertising whiz brought in to save her latest campaign. Their first “date” is anything but smooth, with Ally's ex-boyfriend making an unexpected appearance. As a cover, she fakes a relationship with her business associate, Jay (Gooding). Unfortunately, they are mistaken for a real couple by the Heart Eyes Killer and become a target. As they navigate the chaos of being hunted, their circumstances lead to unexpected chemistry, blending romance with suspense as they try to outrun Heart Eyes.
The narrative does a good job juxtaposing the cynicism of Ally, who has had enough of relationships, with Jay's optimistic romanticism. These dynamics drive the plot and offer many laughs with critiques of traditional romantic and horror tropes.
"The narrative does a good job juxtaposing the cynicism of Ally, who has had enough of relationships, with Jay's optimistic romanticism."
There are many hilarious pokes at staged social-media-based romantic stunts, too. As the duo tries to outwit the killer, their evolving relationship becomes central to the story and fun comedy and horror premise. Heart Eyes does a good job of blending suspense with moments of genuine affection, but the story is pulled in too many directions with what I found a somewhat flat, predictable ending.
Heart Eyes Direction and Writing
Josh Ruben's direction is both serious and silly, delivering the mix of romcom and horror thrills the audience is looking for. He balances the horror and comedy elements well, giving both their space, especially with fun jump scares and good laughs. The screenplay, penned by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy, is witty and filled with dialogue that lets you connect with the characters even in the most outlandish scenes. The film's pacing is brisk, maintaining tension while allowing for comedic relief.
The film's last act turns into a “whodunnit?” with what I felt was a little too predictable, especially with some options that could have created more memorable twists. Heart Eye’s cinematography offers vibrant visuals that enhance both the horror and romantic elements. Ruben and the team effectively capture the essence of Valentine's Day, juxtaposing the holiday's typical warmth with the film's darker themes.
Performances that push the romantic angle
Olivia Holt turns in a good performance as Ally, capturing her character's skepticism, vulnerability and frustration with the dating scene. Mason Gooding complements her portrayal with a charismatic and endearing Jay, making their on-screen chemistry palpable. Gooding offers excellent delivery with jokes to help punch a hole in the idea of a “perfect man.” Supporting performances, including those by Jordana Brewster and Devon Sawa, add depth to the narrative, adding funny “good cop” and “bad cop” moments. Overall, I found the performances delivered even though they were boxed into a script that was just moving in too many directions.
Final Thoughts on Heart Eyes
Heart Eyes offers a fresh take on the slasher romcom genre, blending gory thrills with wry humour. While it doesn't entirely escape the clichés of movies that came before it, Heart Eyes delivers thrills, dark humour, and a fun time with some head-scratching plot holes. Its direction and fun performances make it a noteworthy addition to the genre; though it may not resonate with everyone, I found it an entertaining ride.
Verdict: Heart Eyes is a solid addition to the Valentine's slasher subgenre of horror films that I recommend for fans of the thriller genre. Although it's far from perfect, it's an entertaining ride.
Thanks to Sony Pictures Canada for the early screening of Heart Eyes.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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